The Connecticut Teaching and Certification Resource

Those who wish to teach K-12 subjects in Connecticut must first become certified. The Connecticut Department of Education oversees the Connecticut teacher licensing process, which is outlined below to help you learn how to become a teacher in Connecticut.

How to Become a Teacher in Connecticut

Connecticut requires prospective teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program at an accredited school. Teachers must also pass the Praxis basic skills and subject-specific exams for the content area(s) and grade level(s) for which they are seeking endorsement.

Once all requirements are met, first time teachers will be awarded the Initial Educator Certificate, which is valid for three years. Upon receiving the initial teaching license, new teachers are required to take part in the TEAM Mentoring program, a two year induction program meant to develop individualized growth plans with an experienced mentor.

Connecticut uses a tiered system for teacher licensure that encourages ongoing professional development. After the Initial Educator Certificate, teachers can earn a Provisional Educator Certificate by completing the TEAM mentoring program and thirty months of teaching experience. The highest level of certification in Connecticut is the Professional Educator Certificate, which is earned by completing graduate coursework appropriate to the endorsements held.

Quick Guide

I want to be a teacher in Connecticut, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree

Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in Connecticut

Projected Job Growth

11%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in CT through 202215

To earn initial Connecticut teacher certification, candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school and complete a teacher preparation program. If located in Connecticut, the preparation program attended should be on the state’s approved schools list.

Teacher education programs may also hold accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). While CAEP accreditation is not mandatory, most schools apply for the accreditation as it is seen as a distinguished marker of quality and rigorous standards.

Connecticut Teacher Outlook
The Connecticut Department of Labor has projected 218 average annual job openings due to growth and 324 average annual job openings due to replacements for elementary school teachers, 135 average annual job openings due to growth and 201 average annual job openings due to replacements for middle school teachers, and 102 average annual job openings due to growth and 360 average annual job openings due to replacements for secondary school teachers in Connecticut from 2012 to 2022.2 The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that excluding special education, there are about 40,940 elementary, middle, and secondary teachers in Connecticut.3 In this state, elementary school teachers make an average annual salary of $70,820, middle school teachers make an average annual salary of $71,690, and secondary school teachers make an average annual salary of $70,240.3 The Connecticut Education Association provides further news and information about teaching careers and areas of demand in Connecticut.

Connecticut Teacher Education Requirements

To be eligible for Connecticut teacher certification, candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited institution. Schools located in Connecticut should be approved by the Board of Education for the preparation of teachers. Graduates from schools that are not appropriately accredited may not be eligible for certification.

Connecticut Teacher Testing Requirements

Prospective teachers must pass both the Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test (Core) and the Praxis II Subject-Knowledge Tests for the endorsement areas sought. Candidates who have exceptional scores on the SAT, ACT, or GRE exam(s) may request a waiver for the Core Academic Skills test.

Candidates who wish to teach Early Childhood or Elementary Education must also take the Connecticut Foundations of Reading test, administered by Pearson. Early Childhood and Elementary Education teachers must also pass the Connecticut Teacher Certification Examinations (CTCE) Early Childhood exam.

Additional Connecticut Teacher Certification Requirements

All Connecticut school employees must submit a state and national criminal background check at least 30 days before being placed in a school. Candidates must complete the background check requirement prior to student teaching. You can find more information about the fingerprinting process through the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Connecticut Teachers Licensing Application Process

To obtain a Connecticut educator certification based on program preparation, applicants must:

Provide transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university;

Pass the Praxis I Core Academic Skills test or present official evidence of meeting waiver requirements;

Pass the Praxis II subject-specific tests, if applicable to the endorsement requested;

Submit all required documents with non-refundable application fee to the Connecticut Department of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Connecticut

Question: How do I become an elementary teacher in Connecticut?

Answer: To become certified as an elementary school teacher in Connecticut, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and an approved teacher education program. You must also pass the Praxis I and II tests. If you have taught for two years with a license in another state, you may be able to waive the teacher education program requirement.